Elevator destination floor display unit displaying only destination floors that have been selected

ABSTRACT

An elevator destination floor display unit is installed in an elevator boarding area or an elevator car. The elevator destination floor display unit has a display portion having a screen selectively displaying destination floor representations relating to all floors, and a display control portion which arranges and displays, in a matrix form, only destination floor representations of destination floors registered on the screen. Therefore, the unit decreases the area of the required display space, makes it possible to visually recognize destination floor representations with ease, and possesses a high degree of freedom for installation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an elevator destination floor displayunit that provides guidance by displaying a destination floor registeredby means of a destination floor selection button.

BACKGROUND ART

In a conventional elevator operating panel, as disclosed in JP HEI6-191753 A, operation buttons for registering destination floors aredisplayed in fixed positions on a display having a touch panel disposedon a front face thereof. When a passenger touches the touch panel, adestination floor is registered. In addition, when a color of anoperation button disposed in the touch panel changes, the passengerknows that the destination floor whose color has been changed is aregistered floor. Consequently, operability similar to that ofmechanical buttons is achieved.

However, the operation buttons are arranged in the fixed displaypositions, and the operation buttons for all floors are displayed.Therefore, as in the case of the mechanical buttons, when the number offloors where an elevator stops increases, the operation buttons thathave increased in number cannot be easily displayed on a display with asuitable size. An attempt to display more floors where the elevatorstops causes a problem of an excessive increase in the size of thedisplay. Further, the fact that, there are a large number of floorswhere the elevator stops brings about a problem in that passengerscannot easily locate displayed destination floors.

Further, as disclosed in JP HEI 5-43158 A, registered floors aredisplayed on a digital indicator in accordance with a sequence of floornumbers. Since the registered floors are displayed along a longitudinalcolumn sequentially from a top section thereof, a problem emerges as forlimitations to the installation position of the digital indicator.

Further, as disclosed in JP HEI 8-175770 A, there is proposed a callregistration unit in which call registration is carried out usingnumeric keys and registered floors are displayed using an indicator.Since the numeric keys for registration are separated from the displayindicator, a wide installation area is required to arrange thoseseparate components. Moreover, increased cost problems arise.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an elevatordestination floor display unit that requires a small display area, makesit possible to visually recognize destination floors easily, and has ahigh degree of freedom for installation.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An elevator destination floor display unit according to the presentinvention installed in a boarding area or in a passenger car of anelevator including a display portion having a screen capable ofselectively displaying destination floor representations related to allfloors and a display control portion that arranges and displays in amatrix form, only destination floor representations of destinationfloors registered on the screen.

As regards the effects of the elevator destination floor display unitthus constructed, since only destination floor representations ofregistered destination floors are displayed, the required area of thescreen for displaying the destination floor representations can bereduced, and since the number of displayed destination floorrepresentations is less, passengers can easily confirm registereddestination floors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an elevator destination floordisplay unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a microcomputer of the elevatordestination floor display unit of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining destination floor representationsaccording to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining positions for displaying destinationfloor representations according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of destination floor representationsdisplayed on a screen of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of displaying a destinationfloor representation by means of the elevator destination floor displayunit of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 7 is an overall block diagram of an elevator destination floordisplay unit according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a microcomputer of the elevatordestination floor display unit of Embodiment 2.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a display portion and a touch panelsensor of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of canceling destinationfloor registration in Embodiment 2.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of destination floorrepresentations displayed on a screen of Embodiment 3 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of destination floorrepresentations displayed on a screen of Embodiment 4 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of destination floorrepresentations displayed on a screen of Embodiment 5 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of a column of representations on adisplay portion of Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an elevator destination floordisplay unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2is a functional block diagram of a microcomputer of the elevatordestination floor display unit of Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a view forexplaining destination floor representations according to Embodiment 1.FIG. 4 is a view for explaining positions for displaying destinationfloor representations according to Embodiment 1.

One or more elevator destination floor display units (hereinafterabbreviated as destination floor display units) 1 are installed inboarding areas and a passenger car. A plurality of destination floordisplay units 1 are connected via an elevator control unit 2 and acommunication channel 3. The destination floor display units 1 transmitinformation on registration of a destination floor to the elevatorcontrol unit 2 and receive such information therefrom.

The elevator control unit 2 registers a destination floor, which isinputted by a passenger through an operation performed by a destinationfloor registration unit 11, as a registered destination floor, andoperates the passenger car of the elevator based on the registereddestination floor. In addition, the elevator control unit 2 transmitsinformation on the registered destination floor to the destination floordisplay units 1 as necessary.

Each of the destination floor display units 1 has a display portion 4 onwhich a destination floor representation composed of a number indicatinga destination floor or a graphic decorating the number is displayed, adisplay control portion 5 that controls display of a destination floorrepresentation on the display portion 4, a displayed information storageportion 6 in which information on a displayed destination floorrepresentation and information on a display position of the destinationfloor representation are stored, a communication portion 7 that controlscommunication with the elevator control unit 2, a microcomputer 8 thatcontrols the entire destination floor display unit 1, a program storagememory 9, and a working memory 10.

The program storage memory 9, the working memory 10, and the displayedinformation storage portion 6 are constructed of hard disk drives,nonvolatile memories, memories requiring occasional writing and holdingoperations, or the like.

Alternatively, the program storage memory 9, the working memory 10, andthe displayed information storage portion 6 may be constructed of anystorage units or storage cells other than the aforementioned ones.Further, the program storage memory 9, the working memory 10, and thedisplayed information storage portion 6 may be integrated into a singleunit and constructed inside a storage unit or a storage cell.

Further, the program storage memory 9, the working memory 10, thedisplayed information storage portion 6, the display control portion 5,and the communication portion 7 may be constructed by being built intothe microcomputer 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, the microcomputer 8 has registered destination floorconfirming means 71 and destination floor display position calculatingmeans 72. The registered destination floor confirming means 71 confirmswhether or not information on a newly registered destination floor isincluded in information on registered destination floors which istransmitted by the elevator control unit 2, or confirms whether or notinformation on a newly de-registered destination floor is included ininformation on registered destination floors. When the information onthe newly registered destination floor is included, the destinationfloor display position calculating means 72 calculates display positionsof registered destination floor representations in accordance with apredetermined sequence. Further, when the information on the newlyde-registered destination floor is included, the destination floordisplay position calculating means 72 calculates display positions ofdestination floor representations of registered destination floors otherthan the de-registered destination floor in accordance with apredetermined sequence so that the destination floor representation ofthe de-registered destination floor is deleted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display portion 4 has a screen 12 constructed asa liquid crystal display. A representation of a combination of graphicsand characters can be displayed at any position on the screen 12. Thedestination floor display position calculating means 72 calculates theposition of the representation, which is inputted to the display controlportion 5. Based on information on the position of the representation,the display control portion 5 displays the representation at thatposition on the screen 12.

Any indicator other than the liquid crystal display, such as a plasmadisplay, an LED, a cathode-ray tube, or the like may be used providedthat, the display means is capable of displaying characters andgraphics.

A representation indicating a number of a destination floor (hereinafterreferred to as a destination floor representation) displayed on thescreen 12 is a combination of a rectangular graphic and the numberrepresenting the destination floor. The color of the rectangular graphicis different from that of the background of the figure. The displaycontrol portion 5 displays each destination floor representation so thatit does not overlap with a predetermined position on the screen 12. Theposition of the representation on the screen 12 can be designated byvertical and horizontal addresses.

In the following description, the destination floor representation is arepresentation having a number depicted inside a rectangular graphic.However, this representation is an example for explanation and thepresent invention is not limited thereto. For example, a number may bedepicted inside a graphic such as a circle or a triangle. Further, arepresentation using numbers only is also acceptable.

Based on these pieces of information, the display control portion 5displays the destination floor representation on the screen 12.

A destination floor of the elevator is registered when a passengeroperates the destination floor registration unit 11 that is provided inthe passenger car or in a boarding area. When the passenger presses adestination floor button of the destination floor registration unit 11provided in the passenger car, information on the destination floor istransmitted to the elevator control unit 2. Further, when a passengerpresses a call button as the destination floor registration unit 11provided in a boarding area, information defining the boarding area as adestination floor is transmitted to the elevator control unit 2. Basedon these pieces of information, the elevator control unit 2 registers aregistered destination floor.

Next, a mode of displaying a destination floor representation will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4.

The screen 12 of the display portion 4 is divided into two regions, thatis, an upper region and a lower region. The lower region shown in FIG. 4is a destination floor display region 13, and the region above it is amessage display region 14.

The destination floor display region 13 is divided into minordestination floor display regions 15 in the form of a matrix with fiverows and four columns. Destination floor representations are displayedwithin the minor destination floor display regions 15. The matrix withfive rows and four columns is mentioned as an example. An arbitrarynumber of rows and an arbitrary number of columns may be set accordingto the specification of the elevator.

Further, characters are displayed in the message display region 14. Amessage concerning the contents displayed in the destination floordisplay region 13 is displayed in the message display region 14. Forexample, referring to FIG. 4, the contents displayed in the destinationfloor display region 13 indicate “destination floor”.

Next, a method of displaying destination floor representations on thedestination floor display region 13 will be described with reference toFIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows how the destination floor representations aredisplayed on the screen.

A state in which there is no registered destination floor will bedescribed first. A destination floor representation of a newlyregistered destination floor is displayed in the minor destination floordisplay region 15 a in the first row and the first column. A destinationfloor representation of a subsequently registered destination floor isdisplayed in the minor destination floor display region 15 b in thefirst row and the second column. At this time, if the destination floorof the destination floor representation displayed in the minordestination floor display region 15 a in the first row and the firstcolumn is higher than a newly registered destination floor, thedestination floor representation of the newly registered destinationfloor is displayed in the minor destination floor display region 15 a,and the destination floor representation of the previously registereddestination floor is displayed in the minor destination floor displayregion 15 b. The positions of the destination floor representations areset in advance. In the example of FIG. 5, destination floorrepresentations are sequentially displayed rightward from the firstcolumn to the fourth column in the first row. When the four minordestination floor display regions 15 in the first row are filled withdestination floor representations, destination floor representations aresequentially displayed from the first column to the fourth column in thesecond row. In this manner, up to 20 destination floor representationsare displayed.

In this example of FIG. 5, the registered destination floors arearranged in an ascending sequence according to floor numbers, and thedestination floor representations are displayed in sequence according tothe registered destination floors that are arranged sequentially fromlower rows to upper rows. In this display, the lower a destination flooris, the lower it is displayed on the screen 12. Therefore, this displayis visually more understandable to passengers. Referring to FIG. 5, forexample, when the registration of floor “9” is canceled, the destinationfloor representations displayed to the right of and above floor “9” aremoved and displayed in such a manner as to fill in the minor destinationfloor display region 15 where floor “9” used to be displayed.

It is also possible to start from the minor destination floor displayregion 15 in the lower row and the right column, namely, in the firstrow and the fourth column. Further, it is also possible to start fromthe minor destination floor display region 15 in the upper row and theleft column, namely, in the fifth row and the first column. Further, itis also possible to start from the minor destination floor displayregion 15 in the upper row and the right column, namely, in the fifthrow and the fourth column.

Further, registered destination floors may be arranged in a descendingsequence according to the floor numbers, and destination floorrepresentations may be displayed in accordance with the sequence in theminor destination floor display regions 15 in the upper rows on thescreen.

Further, when the destination floor representations are permutated, itis appropriate to perform display while gradually shifting displaypositions, instead of immediately moving a first one of the destinationfloor representations to a head position after permutation.

Next, a procedure of displaying a destination floor representation willbe described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing aprocedure of displaying a destination floor representation by means ofthe elevator destination floor display unit of Embodiment 1.

In a step 101 (displaying initial screen), the display control portion 5displays a required initial screen such as a background screen or thelike on the screen 12, upon the start of operation.

In a step 102 (receiving destination floor information), thecommunication portion 7 receives current registered destination floorinformation transmitted from the elevator control unit 2. The registereddestination floor information includes information on all the floorsthat are currently registered as destination floors.

In a step 103 (reading of information), the registered destination floorconfirming means 71 reads the last registered destination floorinformation stored in the working memory 10.

In a step 104 (save information), the registered destination floorconfirming means 71 saves current registered destination floorinformation received in the step 102 into the working memory 10 as lastregistered destination floor information for subsequent registrations.

In a step 105 (determination on deletion), the registered destinationfloor confirming means 71 determines whether or not information on ade-registered destination floor is included, through a comparisonbetween the last registered destination floor information and thecurrent registered destination floor information, and determines whetheror not it is necessary to delete a representation. When it is necessaryto delete a representation, the process advances to a step 106. When itis unnecessary to delete a representation, the process advances to astep 108. Registration or cancellation of a registered destination flooris carried out, for example, when the passenger car of the elevatorreaches the destination floor.

In a step 106 (calculation of deleted representation), the displayposition calculating means 72 calculates a position of a representationof a de-registered destination floor. Then, the display positioncalculating means 72 calculates display positions obtained by movingrepresentations of the remaining registered destination floors to fillin a deleted position. However, when a position of a representation of ade-registered destination floor is the last one of a row ofrepresentations, they are not permutated.

In a step 107 (display of deletion), the display control portion 5displays destination floor representations on the screen 12 based on thecalculated display positions. Then the processing advances to the step108.

In the step 108 (additional determination), the registered destinationfloor confirming means 71 determines whether or not information on anewly registered destination floor is included, through a comparisonbetween last registered destination floor information and currentregistered destination floor information, and determines whether or notit is necessary to add a representation. When it is necessary to add arepresentation, the processing advances to a step 109. When it isunnecessary to add a representation, the processing returns to the step102.

In the step 109 (calculation of additional representation), the displayposition calculating means 72 calculates a position of an additionalrepresentation so that destination floors including newly registereddestination floors are arranged in an ascending sequence according tofloor numbers.

In a step 110 (additional display), the display control portion 5additionally displays a destination floor representation on the screen12 based on the requested display position. After this display iscompleted, the processing returns to the step 102.

With the destination floor display unit thus constructed, onlydestination floor representations of currently registered destinationfloors are arranged and displayed in a matrix form. Therefore,destination floors can be displayed on a screen with a small area, andpassengers can easily confirm representations of registered destinationfloors. Thus, no problem is practically caused even in the case whereonly destination floor representations of registered destination floorsare displayed on a display screen having a reduced area. This is becauseeven in the case of an elevator with a large number of floors, there isa limit to the number of passengers carried in a car of the elevator,and because the ability to display destination floor representations ofdestination floors that are approximately equal in number to thepassengers suffices.

In this display of the destination floor representations, the procedurein which the communication portion 7 receives registered destinationfloor information from the elevator control unit 2 and the procedure ofdisplaying the destination floor representations can be carried outindependently of each other. Therefore, these procedures may be carriedout asynchronously in parallel with each other.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 7 is an overall schematic diagram of an elevator destination floordisplay unit according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 8is a functional block diagram of a microcomputer of the elevatordestination floor display unit of Embodiment 2. FIG. 9 is a perspectiveview showing a display portion and a touch panel sensor of FIG. 7. FIG.10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of canceling registration of adestination floor in Embodiment 2.

A destination floor display unit 20 of Embodiment 2 is different fromthe destination floor display unit 1 of Embodiment 1 in that a touchpanel sensor 21 and a sensor control portion 22 for controlling thetouch panel sensor 21 are added thereto. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, amicrocomputer 23 has registration cancellation request means 73 forrequesting the elevator control unit 2 to cancel the registration of aregistered destination floor relating to a destination floorrepresentation selected by touching the touch panel sensor 21. Since thedestination floor display unit 20 of Embodiment 2 is similar to thedestination floor display unit 1 of Embodiment 1 in other respects,similar components will be denoted by the same reference numerals andwill not be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, the touch panel sensor 21 is provided so it abutsthe external side of the display portion 4. The touch panel sensor 21transmits a signal relating to a contact position, touched by apassenger, to the sensor control portion 22.

The sensor control portion 22 transmits contact coordinates of the touchpanel sensor 21 to the microcomputer, based on the signal relating tothe contact position.

The registration cancellation request means 73 specifies a destinationfloor from a display position of a destination floor representation orfrom contact coordinates, determines that the passenger is trying tocancel a registration of a registered destination floor, and requeststhe elevator control unit 2 to cancel registration of the registereddestination floor.

The elevator control unit 2 cancels registration of the registereddestination floor, updates registered destination floor informationaccording to the request, and then transmits the registered destinationfloor information back to the destination floor display unit 20.

The destination floor display unit 20 deletes a relevant destinationfloor representation as is the case with Embodiment 1.

Next, a procedure of canceling registration of a registered destinationfloor will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is aflowchart showing a procedure of canceling a registration of aregistered destination floor. An example in which it is determined thata request to cancel a registration is valid when the touch panel sensor21 is touched twice intermittently will be described in this procedure.However, it is also appropriate to determine that a request to cancel aregistration is valid even when the touch panel sensor 21 is touchedonly once.

In a step 201 (the presence of input), the sensor control portion 22detects an operation input from the touch panel sensor 21 and therebymakes a determination on the presence or absence of an operation input.When there is an operation input, the processing advances to a step 202.When there is no operation input, the processing returns to the step201.

In a step 202 (determine input), the registration cancellation requestmeans 73 determines whether or not there was an operation input within apredetermined time prior to a current operation input. If there is nooperation input before, the processing returns to the step 202. If thereis an operation input, the processing advances to a step 203. If thereare two intermittent operation inputs, it is determined that, anoperation input relating to a request to cancel a registration is valid.If there is one operation input only, it is determined that theoperation input relating to the request to cancel registration is anoperation input inputted erroneously.

In the step the 203 (calculation of coordinates), the registrationcancellation request means 73 obtains contact coordinates touched forthe current operation input and the previous operation inputrespectively, from the sensor control portion 22.

In a step 204 (conform with destination floors), the registrationcancellation request means 73 specifies destination floorrepresentations displayed on the respective contact coordinates from thecurrent contact coordinates and the previous contact coordinates. Theregistration cancellation request means 73 then determines whether ornot the destination floor representations are identical to each other.When the destination floor representations are identical to each other,a transition to a step 205 is made. When the destination floorrepresentations are different from each other, the contact coordinatestouched for the current operation input are stored into the workingmemory 10, the processing returns to the step 201.

In the step 205 (request for cancellation), the registrationcancellation request means 73 determines that the current operationinput is a request to cancel a registration of a registered destinationfloor, and transmits a request to cancel registration to the elevatorcontrol unit 2 via the communication portion 7. Then, the processingreturns to the step 201.

After receiving the request to cancel the registration, the elevatorcontrol unit 2 cancels the registration of the registered destinationfloor whose cancellation is requested, updates registered destinationfloor information, and transmits the updated registered destinationfloor information to the destination floor display unit 20.

Based on the updated registered destination floor information, eachdestination floor display unit 20 deletes a destination floorrepresentation of a destination floor whose registration is canceled(see the steps 105 to 107 of FIG. 6).

The destination floor display unit thus constructed can cancelregistration of an erroneously registered destination floor, andtherefore, can reduce the number of times of unnecessary stoppage of theelevator, can enhance the efficiency of transportation, and can shortenthe traveling time.

Further, since a registration of a registered destination floor is notregarded as having been canceled unless the touch panel sensor 21 istouched twice, the registration of the registered destination floor isnot canceled even when the touch panel sensor 21 is erroneously touchedonly once.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 11 is a view showing destination floor representations displayed ona screen of a destination floor display unit according to Embodiment 3of the present invention. The destination floor display unit ofEmbodiment 3 is different from the destination floor display unit 1 ofEmbodiment 1 in the positions of destination floor representationsdisplayed on the screen. Since the destination floor display unit ofEmbodiment 3 is similar to the destination floor display unit 1 ofEmbodiment 1 in other respects, similar components will be denoted bythe same reference numerals and will not be described.

As shown in FIG. 11, destination floor representations of registereddestination floors are arranged and displayed on a screen 30 accordingto Embodiment 3 in five rows and four columns, as is the case withEmbodiment 1. However, the destination floor representations displayedin each row are displayed stepwise in such a manner as to graduallyshift upward from the first column to the fourth column.

In the destination floor display unit thus constructed, the destinationfloor representations are displayed with their display positions shiftedstepwise. Thus, the impression of an up-and-down relationship among thedestination floors is strengthened, and visibility of the destinationfloors is improved.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 12 is a view showing destination floor representations displayed ona screen of a destination floor display unit according to Embodiment 4of the present invention. The destination floor display unit ofEmbodiment 4 is different from the destination floor display unit 1 ofEmbodiment 1 in the positions of destination floor representationsdisplayed on the screen. Since the destination floor display unit ofEmbodiment 4 is similar to the destination floor display unit 1 ofEmbodiment 1 in other respects, similar components will be denoted bythe same reference numerals and will not be described.

As shown in FIG. 12, destination floor representations are arranged anddisplayed on a screen 40 according to Embodiment 4 in five rows and fourcolumns, as is the case with Embodiment 1. However, respective adjacentdestination floor representations are displayed with the width of thegap therebetween changing depending on whether or not destination floorsof the respective adjacent destination floor representations are closeto each other. The gap is narrow when they are close to each other, andwide when they are far from each other. For example, as shown in FIG.12, since floor “B1” and floor “1” are adjacent to each other and floor“3” and floor “4” are adjacent to each other, the gaps between thoserespective floors are the narrowest. On the other hand, since floor “6”and floor “9” are far from each other and floor “11” and floor “34” arefar from each other, the gaps between those respective floors are wide.

In the destination floor display unit thus constructed, the adjacentdestination floor representations are displayed with the width of thegap therebetween changing depending on whether those destination floorsare close to each other or far from each other. Therefore, it ispossible to create an impression of farness or closeness between therespective floors.

Embodiment 5

FIG. 13 is a view showing destination floor representations displayed ona screen of a destination floor display unit according to Embodiment 5of the present invention. The destination floor display unit ofEmbodiment 5 is different from the destination floor display unit 1 ofEmbodiment 1 in the positions of destination floor representationsdisplayed on the screen. Since the destination floor display unit ofEmbodiment 5 is similar to the destination floor display unit 1 ofEmbodiment 1 in other respects, similar components will be denoted bythe same reference numerals and will not be described.

As shown in FIG. 13, destination floor representations of registereddestination floors can be arranged and displayed on a screen 50according to Embodiment 5 in five rows and four columns, as is the casewith Embodiment 1. However, the destination floor representations ofadjacent destination floors are displayed adjacent to each other. On theother hand, when destination floor representations of destination floorsthat are not adjacent to each other are displayed as adjacentdestination floor representations, a representation indicating that thetwo floors are spaced apart from each other, for example, a rectangulargraphic with a black spot in the middle as shown in FIG. 13 is displayedbetween the adjacent destination floor representations. For example,since floor “B1” and floor “1”, floor “3” and floor “4”, floor “4” andfloor “5”, floor “5” and floor “6”, and floor “11” and floor “12” arerespectively adjacent to each other, their respective destination floorrepresentations are displayed adjacently. On the other hand, since floor“1” and floor “3”, floor “6” and floor “11”, and floor “12” and floor“42” are respectively not adjacent to each other, a rectangular graphicwith a black spot in the middle is displayed in each space between thoserespective floors.

In the destination floor display unit thus constructed, when destinationfloor representations of two registered destination floors that arespaced apart from each other are displayed adjacently, a representationindicating that those destination floors are spaced apart from eachother is displayed between those destination floor representations.Therefore, it is possible to create an impression of farness orcloseness between the respective floors.

Embodiment 6

FIG. 14 is a view showing representations on a screen of a destinationfloor display unit according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.Unlike the destination floor display unit 1 of Embodiment 1, thedestination floor display unit of Embodiment 6 has a screen providedwith a registration display portion of a destination floor registrationunit. Since the destination floor display unit of Embodiment 6 issimilar to the destination floor display unit 1 of Embodiment 1 in otherrespects, similar components will be denoted by the same referencenumerals and will not be described.

As shown in FIG. 14, destination floor representations of registereddestination floors can be arranged and displayed on a screen 60according to Embodiment 6 in five rows and four columns and in fourminor destination floor display regions in the fifth row. Furthermore, arepresentation indicating an input number transmitted from thedestination floor registration unit 11 can be displayed in aregistration display portion 63 of a destination floor display region 62of the screen 60. The representation indicating the input number is arectangular graphic in which two numbers are depicted. The numbers havea single color, which is changed into a different color depending on asignal from the destination floor registration unit 11.

When a number is inputted by pressing a numeric key (not shown) of thedestination floor registration unit, that number is displayed on theregistration display portion 63. Then, when another number is inputtedby pressing another numeric key, those two numbers are displayed side byside on the registration display portion 63. Then, when a numeric keyused for registration is pressed, the color of the displayed numberschanges, which means that the numbers have been registered. Therepresentation on the registration display portion 63 is deleted afterthe lapse of a preset time. For instance, in the case of inputting floor24, keys for numbers “2” and “4” are sequentially pressed. When the keyfor the number “2” is pressed, “2” is displayed on the registrationdisplay portion 63. When the key for the number “4” is subsequentlypressed, the two inputted numbers are arranged side by side to indicate“24”.

The destination floor display unit thus constructed is provided with theregistration display portion displaying a representation relating to aregistration operation, and thus makes it possible to reduce the area ofthe display portion of the destination floor registration unit.

It is desirable that the destination floor registration unit and thedestination floor display unit are installed adjacent to each other.This is because the line of sight needs to be greatly moved to confirm anumerical key pressed to input a number if those units are installedapart from each other. Thus, it is desirable that the destination floorregistration unit, and the destination floor display unit are integratedinto a single unit, which performs functions of both the units.

In Embodiments 4 and 5, even when destination floors are not adjacent toeach other, a space may be inserted or a different representation may bedisplayed therebetween only if they are spaced apart from each other by,for example, two or more floors.

Further, when deleting a destination floor representation, those may bedeleted after having blinked or after the color or brightness haschanged. Alternatively, the destination floor representation may bedeleted after having been gradually reduced in size or temporarilyincreased in size. This produces an effect of making passengers keenlyaware that the elevator has stopped on the destination floor.

1. A elevator destination floor display unit installed in a boardingarea or in a passenger car of an elevator, comprising: a display portionhaving a screen for selectively displaying destination floorrepresentations related to all floors; a display control portion thatarranges and displays, in a matrix form, only destination floorrepresentations of destination floors registered on the screen;registered destination floor confirming means for confirming whetherinformation on a newly registered destination floor is included ininformation on registered destination floors which is transmitted froman elevator control unit, and for confirming whether information on anewly de-registered destination floor is included in the information onthe registered destination floors; and destination floor displayposition calculating means for calculating, when information on a newlyregistered destination floor is included, display positions of theregistered destination floors on the screen in accordance with apredetermined sequence, and for calculating, when information on a newlyde-registered destination floor is included, display positions ofdestination floor representations of registered destination floors,other than the de-registered destination floor, on the screen inaccordance with a predetermined sequence so that a destination floorrepresentation of the de-registered destination floor is deleted,wherein the display control portion displays the destination floorrepresentations at the display positions on the screen that have beencalculated.
 2. The elevator destination floor display unit according toclaim 1, wherein the destination floor display position calculatingmeans calculates display positions of destination floor representationsof the registered destination floors so that those destination floorrepresentations are arranged in a lower floor to higher floor sequenceor in a higher floor to lower floor sequence.
 3. The elevatordestination floor display unit according to claim 1, wherein thedestination floor display position calculating means calculates displaypositions of two adjacently displayed destination floor representationssuch that a gap therebetween differs depending on distance between thetwo destination floors, related to the two destination floorrepresentations.
 4. The elevator destination floor display unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the display portion comprises aregistration display portion that displays information related to aregistered floor which is input to register a destination floor.
 5. Theelevator destination floor display unit according to claim 1, whereinthe destination floor display position calculating means calculatesdisplay positions of two adjacently displayed destination floorrepresentations so that a representation indicating degree of remotenessor proximity is inserted between the two destination floorrepresentations.
 6. A elevator destination floor display unit installedin a boarding area or in a passenger car of an elevator, comprising: adisplay portion having a screen for selectively displaying destinationfloor representations related to all floors; a display control portionthat arranges and displays, in a matrix form, only destination floorrepresentations of destination floors registered on the screen; a touchpanel sensor that is disposed in front of a screen of the displayportion and, when touched, selects a destination floor representationsuperposed on a touched position on the screen; and registrationcancellation request means for requesting the elevator control unit tocancel registration of a registered destination floor relating to adestination floor representation selected by touching the touch panelsensor.
 7. The elevator destination floor display unit according toclaim 6, wherein the registration cancellation request means requeststhe elevator control unit to cancel a registration of a registereddestination floor relating to a destination floor representationselected by intermittently touching the touch panel sensor twice.
 8. Theelevator destination floor display unit according to claim 6, whereinthe display portion comprises a registration display portion thatdisplays information related to a registered floor which is input toregister a destination floor.